Compounds of these drugs have been found in several studies on water sources around South Africa between 2013 and June 2015.

Professor Hugh Patterton, chief researcher at Stellenbosch University, said the compounds and concentration levels in tap water have changed over the years, creating emerging health concerns for consumers.

Patterton and his team detected 34 pharmaceuticals and pesticides present in South Africa’s drinking water.

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He said the compounds are present at low concentrations, but over periods as long as 10 or 20 years - making it difficult to asses the long-term impact of low-level exposure.

Contaminants of emerging concern are compounds that we previously did not identify or understand the health impact of.